EP1033105A2 - Cleaning apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

Cleaning device consists of a handle (3) and a holder for a wiping body (30). The handle end is arranged on the holder by means of a (semi)cardanic hinge (4) and the handle can be tilted. The handle and the handle end are inserted into a locking device formed on the holder.

Description

The invention relates to a cleaning device consisting of a handle and a holder for a, in particular interchangeable, wiper body, wherein the stem end by means of a gimbal or semi-gimbal joint is arranged on the holder and the handle is pivotally mounted.

There are a variety of for cleaning floors and windows Cleaning devices that have an elongated or rectangular wiper body. These wiping bodies are generally flat and have a corresponding one Bracket attached. The brackets generally consist of a wire frame and allow replacement of the wiper body.

There is a handle on the bracket to guide the wiper body onto the floor arranged movably. The handle is attached to the bracket by a cardan joint or the like, as described in DE 43 14 149 A1 and DE 19 613 977 A1 is known.

DE 43 14 149 A1 in particular shows a cardan joint, in which the hinge bracket is arranged at the tip of the stem. This Document is based on the task of the handle of the cleaning device to fix and prevent the handle from falling over. This task is solved by means of a mounting bracket arranged on the bracket for Reaching behind a projection, a screw or a pin on the handle or to snap into a horizontal groove in the handle. For this, the Folding bracket folded down from a rest position into an operating position. However, this proposed solution has the considerable disadvantage that that the lifting bracket is mechanically sensitive and when stressed is easily bent. Another disadvantage is that the arrangement of the bracket is very expensive. Furthermore, it is necessary to fix the stem that the handle has a groove for receiving the lifting bracket for fixation got to.

Based on this prior art, the present invention the task of creating a cleaning device in which the stem both when parking or not in use as well as when changing wipers is fixed in a simple manner, the effort for the construction and the production should be low, so that the overall handling of the Cleaning device is improved.

This problem is solved in that the stem or the stem end Swiveling into a locking device formed on the holder can be introduced. By means of the locking device, the stem is through a simple pivoting movement at a predetermined angle to the bracket or fixed to the wiper body. Is on the holder for the wiper body the locking device is attached so that the stem in a preferred Angle to the bracket in the rest position, d. H. when not in use Device is firmly arranged.

In the context of the invention, the term locking device understood an establishment in which no further measures to be taken are to be carried out to fix the handle. Act in this sense the locking device is a "passive" device. To or by means of the pivoting the stem in the locking device captured. Without limiting the invention, the term locking device applies also for actuatable, d. H. "active" devices. In this In the case, the stem is inserted into the locking device and through additional measures to be carried out fix the stem.

The locking of the handle according to the invention at a fixed angle to Wiping body also facilitates handling of the wiping body when exchanging, which makes the exchange easier and faster. Another improvement in the handling of the cleaning device is in that the wiper body after using the cleaning device due to the angular arrangement of the handle and bracket itself in a fixed and can be in a suitable position for drying the wiper body.

The locking device can advantageously as a recess and / or Recess be formed in or on the bracket, which can be easily Have the effort made. In these shapes on the bracket the stem is inserted and held. The depression or recess is in particular shaped such that it locks the handle additionally supported.

It is advantageous if the stem end to which the cardan joint is attached is a, preferably cylindrical, base body and one thereon arranged end piece includes. The tail is generally designed that it can be easily inserted into the locking device and a enables stable fixation of the entire handle. The end piece can are inserted into the base body and / or connected. In particular the end piece can be replaced after a certain period of wear and be replaced. This is cheaper than e.g. the entire Exchange stem.

The handle is also easy to insert into the locking device, if the end body is conical or nose-shaped or the like is. This design of the end body allows the stem without much effort and without a special pivoting guide is brought into the locking position. The conical, symmetrical Shape supports the stem in all directions.

In addition, an additional locking of the stem is provided when the End body comprises a clamping device. This tensioning device serves in particular to the fact that the pivoting movement during insertion the stem can be easily carried out in the locking device. The tensioning device reduces the forces to be applied when swiveling, because it is flexible and has obstacles or thresholds can dodge when inserted into the locking position. In the fixed The position of the stem provides additional lateral support for the stem the clamping device by making contact e.g. with that as a deepening trained locking device and strengthens the hold of the handle.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the tensioning device has a nose body, preferably formed with a curve on, which is biased in particular by means of a spring. The nose body is arranged and is movable in the clamping device always brought into the starting position by means of the spring. The components of the Tensioning devices are simple and inexpensive components that can be easily Have it installed in the end body. Due to the roundness, the nose body is like this adjusted that minor bumps on the bracket the pivoting movement cannot hinder.

A further improvement is achieved if the gimbal or semi-gimbal Joint is connected to the base body. This is a quick change or easy replacement of the end piece or Clamping device possible. For this purpose, the base body is in a detachable connection with the end piece e.g. by means of a screw thread or a slot with fuse. Likewise, e.g. the feathers of the Clamping device can be replaced quickly. Basic body and joint form a compact structural unit.

It is also advantageous if the gimbal joint is preloaded. The stem is better in the locking device by the bias held because the handle end with another force in the locking device is held. The joint can interact with others Facilities e.g. cause the articulated brackets by the preload, that while maintaining the function of the pivotability of the Stalk is held even more firmly in the fixing position.

In addition, it is particularly advantageous if the base body with the Handle is detachably connected. This allows the handle to be replaced quickly be used or for other devices. The detachable connection can be realized with a screw thread or a quick release become. It can also be provided that the cleaning device easier to disassemble and assemble.

To furthermore a simple and quick change of the wiper body on the To enable bracket, the bracket comprises several, preferably two, holder parts that are hinged together. Through the articulated Connection of the holder parts is the distance between the two opposite Ends of two holder parts when replacing the Wiper body shortened. The shortening allows easy insertion the holder parts in appropriate tabs, loops or the like on Wiper body.

After replacing the wiper body, it is for the use of the cleaning device preferable if the holder for the wiper body is a locking device having. The locking device prevents when the floor is wiped folding the articulated holder parts so that the The wiper body always lies on the floor in its full width when wiping. In addition, the wiping body clamped in this way fails detach from the entire bracket. The dimension or the width the bracket generally corresponds to the size or the width of the Wiper body.

The locking device can be manufactured inexpensively and easily, if it by means of a tongue formed on one holder part and a for this tongue-shaped lock is formed on the other holder part is. The detent lock works on the principle of a snap lock, which causes the parts of the bracket when using the cleaning device are rigidly connected. When changing the wiper body the safety catch is released so that the holder parts can move again to each other.

The locking device is particularly easy to operate when the lock is on is given an appearance. By means of the appearance it is not necessary that Lock operated manually, but it is possible that a simple kick the safety catch unlocked.

It is also advantageous if the appearance has a protective covering. The appearance can be simple, for example, by means of a plastic coating and reliably protected from pollution etc.

In addition, the holder parts advantageously have struts, especially in the transverse direction. The holder parts are generally made of Wire made. The struts overall stiffen the Holder parts, which increases the use of the cleaning device, since the The wiper body can be guided over the entire surface of the floor.

In a development of the invention, it is possible that the handle on a is introduced in a predetermined manner into the locking position. This succeeds especially in that the locking device is a guide device for the stem end or the end body.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the locking device and the gimbal is located on a single one of the holder parts. This is a compact and simple structure of the locking device possible, which also the entire handling of the Cleaning device is increased.

In order to obtain a large pivotability of this handle around a pivot axis, the gimbal has an S-shaped bracket with two Legs that are parallel at a predetermined distance from each other are arranged and the ends of which are rotatably mounted in brackets. A preferred pivot axis is formed by the brackets in order to that of the stem by means of the cardan joint and the invention Training of the bracket is pivotable by an angle of almost 180 °. Due to the space-saving parallel arrangement of the legs of the joint bracket the handle can be swiveled easily. Allows at the same time the parallelism of the stirrup legs around an unimpeded swiveling movement a further pivot axis, which is arranged transversely, preferably vertically is to that formed by the two brackets of the joint Swivel axis. Overall, the stem can be in almost all directions of a half space be pivoted.

The greatest possible freedom of movement of the attached to the bracket Stalk is achieved by the distance between the legs of the gimbal Joint by the diameter of the arranged between the two legs Stem or body is determined. It also will also a lateral movement of the stem or body between the prevents both legs, so that the stem or body between the two legs cannot slip. The stem or Basic body well secured.

In a preferred embodiment, it is advantageous if the distance between the end of the stem or end body and the attachment of the Legs on the stem or body essentially the length of the legs of the gimbal. By dimensioning the Leg or the end of the stem is reached that the end of the stem or the end body can be brought into a position above the bearings the ends of the hinge bracket in the holders provided is. In other words, the tip of the stem can be on the bearings or ends of the bracket are swung past. By the invention Dimensions, especially in cooperation with a clamping device, causes the tip of the stem to overcome an obstacle must and thereby prevents the wiper body holder from folding back. This also forms a locking device, since the Bracket and the stem are at a fixed angle to each other. By the prevention of folding back can save the cleaning device space be stowed away, with a damp mop next to it also better can dry.

Overall, the invention enables better handling of the cleaning device, especially since the stem through the locking device can no longer fall over. This allows the cleaning device to Replacement of wiping bodies easier and easier to handle because of the handle is no longer movable and fixed on the bracket. Moreover an operator no longer needs, as before, to join the operator on the floor stooping to stoop.

Figur 1

ein Reinigungsgerät beim Austausch eines Wischkörpers;

Figur 2

das Reinigungsgerät (Figur 1) in Gebrauchsposition;

Figur 3

eine vergrößerte Seitenansicht des kardanischen Gelenks;

Figur 4

eine Draufsicht des Gelenks (Figur 3); und

Figur 5

eine Queransicht einer Stielhülse;

Figur 6

eine Ansicht eines Grundkörpers und eines Endkörpers;

Figur 7

eine Draufsicht des Grundkörpers und Endkörpers aus Figur 6;

Figur 8

einen Querschnitt durch den Endkörper;

Figur 9

eine Draufsicht eines Anschlagelementes.

An embodiment of the invention is explained in more detail with reference to drawings. Show it:

Figure 1

a cleaning device when replacing a wiper body;

Figure 2

the cleaning device (Figure 1) in use position;

Figure 3

an enlarged side view of the gimbal joint;

Figure 4

a plan view of the joint (Figure 3); and

Figure 5

a transverse view of a stem sleeve;

Figure 6

a view of a base body and an end body;

Figure 7

a plan view of the base body and end body of Figure 6;

Figure 8

a cross section through the end body;

Figure 9

a plan view of a stop element.

FIG. 1 shows a cleaning device 1 in which a wiper body 30 is replaced becomes. The wiper body 30 has at both ends Sack pockets 31, 32. The wiper body 30 is preferably rectangular and has an absorbent wipe. Alternatively, the Wiper body 30 can also be designed as a sponge or sponge cloth.

The cleaning device 1 has a handle 3 for easier guidance of the flat wiper body 30 over the floor to be cleaned. Lolly 3 is a holder for the wiper body by means of a cardan joint 4 30 arranged, which consists of two holder parts 5, 8. The holder parts 5, 8 are connected to each other by means of a joint 6, whereby by means of the joint 6 the holder part 8 is movable or foldable with respect to the other Holder part 5 is formed. Due to the foldability of the bracket from the holder parts 5, 8, the wiper body 30 by inserting the ends the holder parts 5, 8 in the sack pockets 31, 32 of the wiper body 30 the bracket can be easily fixed (Figure 2).

For exact fixing of the wiper body 30 on the holder to prevent it from slipping of the wiper body 30 when using the cleaning device 1 prevent, the cleaning device 1 has a detent. This Locking device is formed in that a 5 at the end of the holder part Leg 7 is present. Around the holder parts 5, 8 when using the cleaning device 1 rigidly interconnect is on the other holder part 8 form and function complementary to the leg 7 a leg 11 arranged, which has a projection 10 and a step 9.

When the locking device is closed, the one incorporated into leg 11 protrudes the projection 10 the leg 7 of the holder part 5, so that the foldability the holder parts 5, 8 around the joint 6 is prevented (Figure 2). Means the locking device according to the invention is the handle 3 both when exchanging of the wiper body 30 (Figure 1) as well as in use (Figure 2) in a predetermined Fixed angle to the holder part 5 or to the entire holder, so that the handle is locked. The angle is preferably a right angle, but can also be different depending on the need and application predetermined angle. For example, it should by the locking device According to the invention also be possible after using the Arrange the cleaning device when placing the handle to the wiper body, that the wiper body does not lie completely on the floor, but rather can be set up by the locking device so that the damp mop can dry well. For this, the handle can, for example to be leaning against a wall. The cleaning device can also space-saving due to the fixed arrangement of the handle and holder e.g. stowed away in a small space. Wiper body, handle and Bracket in this case form a rigid structural unit, so that the gimbal Joint is determined by means of the locking device.

An embodiment of a locking device according to the invention is explained in more detail with reference to FIGS. 3 to 5.

FIG. 3 shows a cardan joint 4, consisting of a bracket 18, which is held movably at its ends by means of brackets 15, 16 and a bore 17 of a stem sleeve 12 designed as a base body penetrates. The brackets 15, 16 are on the known holder part 5 one Bracket for wiper body arranged. The bracket 18 is about the pivot axis 19 movable.

A handle can be attached in the handle sleeve 12 by means of a suitable connection become. The bore 17 for the hinge bracket 18 is located above the supports of the ends of the bracket 18. The stem or the stem sleeve 12 is movable about the bore 17 or axis of rotation 20 (FIG. 4) swiveling.

At the end of the stem sleeve 12 is a conical end body Nosepiece 13 arranged, which in a recess 14 of the holder part 5th intervenes. In cooperation of the nose piece 13 and the recess 14 is the stem sleeve 12 or the stem mounted thereon fixed on all sides. As a result, a locking device is formed so that the handle or the stem sleeve 12 cannot be moved about the two pivot axes 19, 20 can and is therefore held (Figure 4).

In a further embodiment of the locking device, the gimbal Joint through an appropriate design of the bracket or Joint bracket have a bias, so that in cooperation the handle is held even more firmly in the locking device.

The recess 14 in the holder part 5 can by a simple and mechanical Deformation or punching can be produced. The nose piece 13 is in a development not firmly connected to the stem sleeve 12. Advantageously the nose piece 13 is inserted into the stem sleeve 12 and detachable connected to the stem sleeve 12.

The hinge bracket 18 of the gimbal joint 4 is S-shaped (Figure 4) and has legs 18a, 18b arranged parallel to one another. The two legs 18a, 18b are also at an obtuse angle arranged to each other (Figure 3). The opposite ends the legs 18a, 18b are at a distance a from the base of the holder part 5 rotatably mounted in the brackets 16, 15. The parallel Legs 18a, 18b (FIG. 4) are arranged at a distance from one another and connected, which is determined by the diameter of the stem sleeve 12th The stem attached to the stem sleeve 12 can freely around the pivot axis 19 and the pivot axis 20 freely in the above the holder part 5 formed half space are pivoted and take any direction. Due to the parallel and space-saving design of the legs 18a, 18b the hinge bracket 18 becomes a pivotability of the handle of approximately Achieved 180 ° about the pivot axis 19.

In a further preferred embodiment of the gimbal joint 4 the legs 18a, 18b each have twice the length of the distance a, a total length of 2 times a. There is a hole for this 17 of the stem sleeve 12 also at a distance of approximately 2 times a from the base of the holder part 5 (FIG. 3) in the stem sleeve 12 educated. In this particular case, the legs 18a, 18b form one obtuse angles of about 120 °. Due to the pivoting of the stem sleeve 12 about the pivot axis 20 (Figure 4) then the tip of the end body 13 overcome an obstacle near the brackets 15 and 16, by the thickness of the hinge bracket 18 or by the hinge bracket 18 is trained itself. If the handle or the sleeve 12 is pivoted further, so this must be done with force. As a result then finally the tip of the end body 13 above the pivot axis 19 (Figure 3). The end body 13 or the stem sleeve 12 or the entire stem occupy this position. In particular becomes an unwanted and free swinging back of the handle prevents the bracket from folding back. This disability in the Free pivoting movement also provides a locking device in the sense of the invention This is then the stem and the holder of the Wiper body arranged at a fixed and predetermined angle to each other.

FIG. 5 shows the configuration of a tensioning device according to the invention, whereby the use of the locking device is further improved becomes. A bore 22 is provided in the stem sleeve 12 or the nose piece 13, in which a spring 25 between a stop element 24 and a front piece 23 are arranged. The front piece 23 has on the front a round up to better understand obstacles in the recess to be brought in. The spring 25 causes the front piece 23 against presses a stop, not shown here, in the nose piece 13. This Front piece 23 is movable along the bore 22, so that a pivoting the handle in a locking device without much effort is made possible because the front piece 23 avoid obstacles can.

FIG. 6 shows a base body 40 according to the invention and an end body 41, which is inserted into the base body 40. The Base body 40 has a cylindrical cavity 39. The base body 40 also has a cylindrical shape, at the end of which a circumferential Groove 42 is formed. Furthermore, the base body 40 in the Cavity 39 surrounding wall slots 46 on by a curve 48 are completed (Figure 7). The length of the slot 46 corresponds to essentially the height of the cavity 39.

The end body 41 has two opposite side parts 43, 44 with a notch 45. The end body 41 has on its end face in addition, a truncated cone 49.

The end body 41 is also preferably cylindrical and complementary in shape to the cavity 39 of the base body 40, so that when the Base body 41 in the cavity 39 of the base body 40, the side parts 43, 44 engage in the slots 46. When the end body is fully inserted 41 there is a form-fitting formation of the groove 42 with the notch 45 of the side parts 43, 44. In this form-fitting formation of Groove 42 with the notch 45 can e.g. introduced a circumferential ring are so that the end body 41 is fixedly connected to the base body 40 is and the end body 41 is mounted securely.

Furthermore, on the base body 41 on the cone 49 opposite Side formed a semicircular recess 47 (Figure 7). After introducing the end body 41 into the base body 40, the semicircular forms Recess 47 in cooperation with the curve 48 of the Slot 46 from a substantially cylindrical bore into which the bracket of the gimbal joint is introduced (see hole 17 (Figure 3 or Figure 4)).

Figure 8 shows in cross section the end body 41 with a bore 50 in the truncated cone and a larger bore 51 in the main part. In terms of The bore 50 is symmetrical about the central axis of the base body and the bore 51 is asymmetrical. Due to the asymmetry of the Bore 51 is a kind of security against insertion in the bores 50 and 51 arranged components reached. The anti-insertion device causes the components are introduced into the bores 50, 51 only in a certain way can be. This is achieved in particular by the Bore 51 is not completely circular in cross section.

In the symmetrical bore 50, a nose piece 52 is arranged, the Head is widened and complementary to the shape of the bore 51 is formed. A stop element 54 is also arranged in the bore 51, which has a recess 55. The stop element 54 is in the Cross-section designed to be complementary to the bore 51 (FIG. 9). There is a spring between the nose piece 52 and the stop element 54 53 arranged after the attachment of the end body 41 in the base body 40 the head part of the nose piece 52 against the inner wall of the bore 51 presses and the stop element 54 against the wall of the cavity 39 or presses against an attached hinge bracket. Furthermore, can the recess 55 partially enclose a hinge bracket. By the Pressure of the spring 53 becomes the surface of the recess 55 against the surface of the hinge bracket pressed, increasing the effect of the whole Locking device can be effected. One on the base body 40 attached handle for the cleaning device is in the locked position captured.

Figure 9 shows the stop element 54 in a plan view. The stop element has a segment-like bevel that is complementary to the shape is formed to the cross section of the bore 51. The recess 55 is preferably constant in diameter (Figure 9).

Overall, the handling and function of Cleaning devices fundamentally improved.

Claims (20)

Cleaning device, comprising a handle (3) and a holder for a, in particular interchangeable, wiper body (30), the handle end being arranged on the holder by means of a cardanic or semi-cardanic joint (4) and the handle (3) being pivoted, characterized in that the handle (3) or the handle end can be introduced by pivoting into a locking device formed on the holder. Cleaning device according to claim 1, characterized in that the locking device is designed as a recess (14) and / or recess. Cleaning device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the handle end has a, preferably cylindrical, base body (12, 40) and an end body (13, 41) arranged thereon. Cleaning device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the end body (13, 41) is conical or nose-shaped. Cleaning device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that a clamping device is formed in the end body (13, 41). Cleaning device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tensioning device has a nose body (23, 49) which is preferably designed with a rounding and which is biased by means of a spring (25, 53). Cleaning device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the joint (4) is connected to the base body (12, 40). Cleaning device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the joint (4) is pretensioned. Cleaning device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the base body (12, 40) is detachably connected to the handle (3). Cleaning device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the holder has a plurality of, preferably two, holder parts (5, 8) which are preferably connected to one another in an articulated manner. Cleaning device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the holder has a detent. Cleaning device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the detent is formed by means of a tongue (7) formed on one holder part (5) and a lock (10, 11) formed for this tongue (7) on the other holder part (8th). Cleaning device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the lock (10, 11) is provided with a step (9). Cleaning device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the step (9) has a protective casing. Cleaning device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the holder parts (5, 8) have struts. Cleaning device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the locking device has a guide device for the handle end or the end body (13, 41). Cleaning device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the locking device (12, 13, 14) and the joint (4) is arranged on a single one of the holder parts (5 or 8). Cleaning device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cardan joint (4) has an S-shaped bracket (18) with two legs (18a, 18b) which are arranged in parallel at a predetermined distance from one another and whose ends are in Brackets (15, 16) are rotatably mounted. Cleaning device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the distance between the legs (18a, 18b) is determined by the diameter of the stem or the base body (12, 40) arranged between the two legs (18a, 18b). Cleaning device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the distance between the end of the stem or the end body (13, 41) and the attachment of the legs (18a, 18b) to the stem or to the base body (12, 40) corresponds essentially to the length of the legs (18a, 18b) of the cardan joint (4).

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